St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield

About St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield

St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School sits in Wigan, a local authority where the average Progress 8 score for secondary schools sits at -0.3, meaning most schools in the borough see pupils make slightly less progress than the national average. Against that backdrop, this Roman Catholic 11-16 mixed state school stands out: it ranks first out of 19 schools in Wigan on Progress 8, comfortably ahead of its nearest named peers. Atherton High School, Golborne High School, and Standish Community High School all record negative Progress 8 scores, while St Edmund Arrowsmith posts a positive 0.16. The school is also the top-performing non-selective state secondary in the borough, and its closest Outstanding-rated neighbour, Golborne High School, is 3.5 kilometres away. With a capacity of 1,250 and 1,202 pupils on roll, it is almost full, and oversubscription is high: for 2025/26 entry, there were 387 applications for 227 places, with 223 first-preference applications and 219 first-preference offers made.

Academically, the school delivers strong results across the board. Its Attainment 8 score of 51.5 is well above the national average, and 74.9% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 56.9% reaching the stronger grade 5 benchmark. The English Baccalaureate average point score sits at 4.33, and 28.5% of pupils entered the EBacc suite of subjects. Progress 8 is positive across most measures: pupils make above-average progress in maths (0.23) and in open subjects (0.37), though progress in English is fractionally below the national average at -0.04. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2021, confirmed it remains Good overall, with leadership and management also rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2012 also awarded Good, so the school has held a consistent rating across both its recent inspections. The ungraded inspection in 2021 found the school remains Good, and the report is available online.

Parents are broadly positive. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, 90% of the 29 respondents said they would recommend the school. Strong majorities agreed that their child is happy (94% agreeing or strongly agreeing) and feels safe (96%). Behaviour is seen as a strength: 83% agreed the school ensures pupils are well behaved. The school offers a wide range of facilities including a theatre, chapel, astro turf, science labs, and a sports hall, and runs clubs from Model UN and chess to drama and choir. For pupils with SEND, the school supports six identified needs including autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and social, emotional and mental health needs. There is no sixth form, so pupils leave at 16. Given its strong academic record, Catholic character, and oversubscribed status, this school will particularly suit families in Wigan who prioritise strong Progress 8 outcomes and a faith-based environment, but who need to be prepared for a competitive admissions process.

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